Method and apparatus for manufacturing display device

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing a display device includes: preparing a cover window including a bent part on a side surface thereof, and a guide film including a surface on which a display panel and an adhesive layer are arranged; arranging the cover window and the guide film in a face-to-face manner such that the adhesive layer faces the cover window; seating the guide film onto a seating pad of a first jig; pre-forming the display panel by bringing opposite ends of the guide film into close contact with opposite side surfaces of the seating pad using a pair of push members; and joining the display panel with the cover window by bringing the adhesive layer into contact with the cover window.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean patentapplication number 10-2018-0048074, filed on Apr. 25, 2018 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method andapparatus for manufacturing a display device.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, as the number of consumers who place emphasis on designs ofelectronic devices and ease of use has increased, the electronic deviceshave been diversified in design. As a result, display devices have alsobeen diversified in design. For example, a display device may include abent part having a bent or curved shape on each of opposite side edgesthereof.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to amethod and apparatus for manufacturing a display device including a bentpart.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a methodof manufacturing a display device includes: preparing a cover windowincluding a bent part on a side surface thereof, and a guide filmincluding a surface on which a display panel and an adhesive layer arearranged; arranging the cover window and the guide film in aface-to-face manner such that the adhesive layer faces the cover window;seating the guide film onto a seating pad of a first jig; pre-formingthe display panel by bringing opposite ends of the guide film into closecontact with opposite side surfaces of the seating pad using a pair ofpush members; and joining the display panel with the cover window bybringing the adhesive layer into contact with the cover window.

In an embodiment, the pre-forming of the display panel may includedeforming the display panel in a shape corresponding to a shape of thecover window.

In an embodiment, the pre-forming of the display panel may includemoving a region of each of the push members or a region of the guidefilm into a corresponding one of grooves formed in the respectiveopposite side surfaces of the seating pad.

In an embodiment, the preparing of the guide film may include: attachingthe display panel to a central region of the guide film such that theopposite ends of the guide film are exposed; and forming the adhesivelayer on an upper portion of the display panel before or after theattaching of the display panel.

In an embodiment, the arranging of the cover window and the guide filmin the face-to-face manner may include: transferring the cover window toa position over the first jig using a second jig; and holding theopposite ends of the guide film using a pair of clamps and arranging theguide film between the first jig and the cover window.

In an embodiment, the arranging of the cover window and the guide filmin the face-to-face manner may further include moving, when the secondjig moves, at least one of the first jig and the pair of clamps inresponse to the movement of the second jig.

In an embodiment, the seating the guide film onto the seating pad of thefirst jig may include bringing a rear surface of the guide film intoclose contact with the seating pad by moving at least one of the seatingpad and the pair of clamps.

In an embodiment, the pre-forming of the display panel may includeconcurrently moving the pair of clamps and the pair of push members topositions close to the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad.

In an embodiment, the pre-forming of the display panel may includeindividually moving the pair of clamps and the pair of push members topositions close to the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad.

In an embodiment, the pre-forming of the display panel may include:arranging the pair of push members on respective opposite sides of theseating pad; and moving the pair of push members toward the groovesformed in the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad, and pressingthe opposite ends of the guide film such that the opposite ends of theguide film are brought into close contact with the respective oppositeside surfaces of the seating pad.

In an embodiment, the method may further include removing the guide filmfrom the first jig after the joining of the display panel with the coverwindow.

According to one or more embodiment of the present disclosure, anapparatus for manufacturing a display device includes: a first jigincluding a seating pad including grooves in respective opposite sidesurfaces thereof, and a first plate coupled to a lower portion of theseating pad; a pair of clamps at respective opposite sides of the firstjig; a pair of push members arranged, along with the respective clamps,at the respective opposite sides of the first jig, each of the pair ofpush members having a size corresponding to an associated one of thegrooves of the seating pad; a drive unit configured to move the pushmembers to positions close to the respective grooves of the seating pad;and a second jig over the first jig.

In an embodiment, each of the pair of push members may include a rolleror a bar.

In an embodiment, the pair of clamps may include a first clamp at afirst side of the first jig, and a second clamp at a second side of thefirst jig such that the second clamp faces the first clamp. The pair ofpush members may include a first push member around the first clamp, anda second push member around the second clamp.

In an embodiment, the first clamp and the first push member may beintegrally connected or mounted to each other, and the second clamp andthe second push member may be integrally connected or mounted to eachother.

In an embodiment, the drive unit may include: a first clamp drive unitconfigured to move the first clamp and the first push member; and asecond clamp drive unit configured to move the second clamp and thesecond push member.

In an embodiment, the first and the second clamps may be providedseparately from the first and the second push members, and the driveunit may include separate drive units configured to respectively movethe first and second clamps and the first and second push members.

In an embodiment, the seating pad may include an upper surface includinga convex curved surface, and the opposite side surfaces, each of whichhas a convex curved surface on an upper end region thereof extendingfrom the upper surface to the corresponding groove.

In an embodiment, in the seating pad, at least the upper surface and theupper end regions of the opposite side surfaces may be made of anelastic material.

In an embodiment, a central portion of the upper surface may have ahardness less than a hardness of the upper end region of each of theopposite side surfaces.

In an embodiment, the second jig may include a second plate facing theseating pad. The second plate may include side surfaces having shapescorresponding to the respective upper end regions of the opposite sidesurfaces of the seating pad.

According to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a display devicein accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, aflexible display panel may be pre-formed in a shape substantially thesame or similar to a cover window, and then attached to one surface ofthe cover window. As a result, the display panel may be reliablyattached to even the cover window that includes a bent part having anangle (e.g., a predetermined angle) and/or curvature or more.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the display device shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displaypanel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for manufacturing adisplay device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the manufacturingapparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a portion of an apparatus formanufacturing a display device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for manufacturing adisplay device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a guide film and a display panel inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a displaydevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A to 10F are diagrams sequentially illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a display device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments and details of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings in order to describe the presentdisclosure in further detail such that those having ordinary knowledgeand skill in the technical field to which the present disclosurepertains can easily practice the present disclosure. However, thefollowing embodiments are merely exemplary. In other words, the presentdisclosure may be modified and practiced in various forms rather thanbeing limited by the following embodiments. It is to be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “coupled” to another element, itmay be directly coupled to the element or coupled thereto with one ormore other elements interposed therebetween.

Some elements which are not directly related to the features of thepresent disclosure in the drawings may be omitted to more clearlyexplain the present disclosure. Further, sizes, ratios, etc. of someelements in the drawings may be exaggerated for purposes of clarity. Itshould be noted that the same reference numerals are used to designatethe same or similar elements throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a display device 100 in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectionalview of the display device 100 shown in FIG. 1. Although in theembodiment of FIG. 1 there is illustrated the display device 100, theopposite side edges of which have convex curved surfaces, the shape ofthe display device 100 is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display device 100 in accordance with theembodiment of the present disclosure includes a front surface part 100a, and side surface parts 100 b extending from the front surface part100 a. For example, the side surface parts 100 b may be integrallyconnected with the respective opposite side edges of the front surfacepart 100 a.

In an embodiment, the front surface part 100 a may be substantiallyplanar. However, the shape of the display device 100 is not limitedthereto. For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, atleast one region of the front surface part 100 a may have an angleand/or a curvature within a range (e.g., a predetermined range).

In an embodiment, each side surface part 100 b may be bent from thefront surface part 100 a at an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle) (orwithin a predetermined angular range), or may have a curved surfacewhich is curved at a curvature (e.g., a predetermined curvature) (orwithin a predetermined curvature range). For example, each side surfacepart 100 b may be embodied in the form of a bent part which is curved ata predetermined angle and/or a curvature from a corresponding one of theopposite side edges of the front surface part 100 a. For example, theside surface part 100 b may be a bent part having an angle (θ) of 90° ormore, based on the front surface part 100 a, and/or a comparativelylarge curvature corresponding to the angle (θ). However, the presentdisclosure is not limited to this structure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display device 100 may include a cover window110, and an adhesive layer 120 and a display panel 130 which aredisposed on a surface of the cover window 110. For example, the adhesivelayer 120 and the display panel 130 may be successively disposed on aninner surface (e.g., a rear surface) of the cover window 110.

The cover window 110 may include a front surface part 110 a and sidesurface parts 110 b. The cover window 110 having the foregoing structuremay have bent parts on at least opposite side surfaces thereof. Forexample, the front surface part 110 a of the cover window 110 may besubstantially planar, and each of the side surface parts 110 b may beembodied in the form of a bent part which is curved at a predeterminedangle and/or curvature from a corresponding one of the opposite sides ofthe front surface part 110 a. In an embodiment, the front surface part110 a and the side surface parts 110 b of the cover window 110 may beintegrally formed into a single piece, but the present disclosure is notlimited thereto.

The cover window 110 may be a hard (or rigid) window formed of glass orreinforced glass, or a soft (or flexible) window formed of a thin filmmade of a material such as polyimide (PI). However, the material andproperties of the cover window 110 are not limited to a specificmaterial and properties. For example, the cover window 110 may beembodied in the form of a window which may be formed of any of variousknown materials. Further, the cover window 110 may have a single- ormulti-layer structure. The structure of the cover window 110 is notlimited to a specific structure.

The adhesive layer 120 is disposed between the cover window 110 and thedisplay panel 130 to couple the cover window 110 with the display panel130. In an embodiment, the adhesive layer 120 may be formed of atransparent adhesive, such as optical clear adhesive (OCA). However, theadhesive layer 120 may be formed of any of various known adhesivematerials. The adhesive layer 120 may be formed on an upper portion ofthe display panel 130 in any of various schemes; for example, theadhesive layer 120 may be provided in the form of a film and adhere toan upper portion of the display panel 130 (e.g., an upper portion of athin film encapsulation (TFE) layer), or may be provided in the form ofa fluid or material and applied to the upper portion of the displaypanel 130.

The display panel 130 may adhere to a surface of the cover window 110 bythe adhesive layer 120. For example, the display panel 130 may adhere tothe inner surface (e.g., the rear surface) of the cover window 110. Inan embodiment, the display panel 130 may have a width less than that ofthe cover window 110. For example, the display panel 130 may have awidth less than that of the cover window 110 by a degree correspondingto the thicknesses of the cover window 110 and the adhesive layer 120.

In an embodiment, the display panel 130 may be a flexible display panel,such as satisfying predetermined flexibility conditions. To this end,the display panel 130 may be a display panel formed on a flexiblesubstrate (e.g., a thin film) and may have a small thickness. Forexample, the display panel 130 may be a spontaneous emission typedisplay panel such as an organic light-emitting display panel which maybe embodied to have a small thickness, but it is not limited thereto. Inother words, the display panel 130 may be a display panel which may haveany of various well-known structures and/or types.

In some embodiments, the display panel 130 may integrally include atouch sensing layer (not shown), or a touch sensing layer may be formedand/or disposed on at least one surface (e.g., a front surface and/or arear surface) of the display panel 130. Alternatively, in an embodiment,in lieu of the display panel 130, a touch screen panel may independentlyadhere to a surface of the cover window 110.

In an embodiment, the display panel 130 may include a front surface part130 a corresponding to (e.g., overlapping with) the front surface part110 a of the cover window 110, and side surface parts 130 bcorresponding to the respective side surface parts 110 b of the coverwindow 110. In an embodiment, the side surface parts 130 b may beintegrally coupled with the front surface part 130 a, and each may havea bent part having a shape corresponding to the associated side surfacepart 110 b of the cover window 110. For example, each of the sidesurface parts 130 b of the display panel 130 may be embodied in the formof a curved surface part having a convex shape.

Here, the term “corresponding shape” may mean, for example,“substantially same or similar shape”. For example, each side surfacepart 130 b of the display panel 130 may have a shape that is the same orsimilar to that of the corresponding side surface part 110 b of thecover window 110, and may have substantially the same size and/or shapeas that of the side surface part 110 b of the cover window 110 suchthat, when moved and/or enlarged at a predetermined ratio in eachdirection in a three-dimensional space, the side surface part 130 b ofthe display panel 130 can overlap with the side surface part 110 b ofthe cover window 110. In other words, the display panel 130 may have asize and/or a shape capable of coming into close contact with the coverwindow 110, with the adhesive layer 120 interposed therebetween.

As such, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel130 may be disposed on corresponding surfaces (e.g., the inner surfaces)of the front surface part 110 a and the side surface parts 110 b of thecover window 110. In an embodiment, pixels may also be disposed in theside surface parts 130 b of the display panel 130. In this case, animage (e.g., a predetermined image) may be displayed not only on thefront surface part 100 a but also on the side surface parts 100 b.Therefore, the utilization of the display device 100 may be improved.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of the displaypanel 130 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 3 illustrates an organic light-emitting display panel as an exampleof a display panel which may be applied to the present disclosure.Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, FIG. 3 illustrates across-sectional view of a region of the organic light-emitting displaypanel, for example, a region of a pixel.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display panel 130 may include a base substrateSUB, and a transistor TR and a light emitting element EL which areformed over a surface of the base substrate SUB. A plurality of pixelsmay be disposed over a surface of the base substrate SUB. The transistorTR and the light emitting element EL may be formed in each pixel region.Each pixel region may include at least one other transistor and/orcapacitor (not shown).

The base substrate SUB may be a hard or soft substrate, and the materialthereof is not limited to a specific material. For example, in anembodiment of the present disclosure, the base substrate SUB may beembodied in the form of a flexible thin film or a thin metal substrate.However, the base substrate SUB may be formed of any of various knownsubstrate materials. The base substrate SUB may have a single- ormulti-layer structure, and the structure of the base substrate SUB isnot limited to a specific structure.

In an embodiment, a buffer layer BFL may be formed on the surface of thebase substrate SUB. The buffer layer BFL may function to prevent orsubstantially prevent impurities from diffusing from the base substrateSUB and enhance the flatness of the base substrate SUB. The buffer layerBFL may be provided in a single-layer structure, or a multi-layerstructure having at least two or more layers. In an embodiment, thebuffer layer BFL may be an inorganic insulating layer formed ofinorganic material. For example, the buffer layer BFL may be formed ofsilicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxy-nitride, etc. In the case inwhich the buffer layer BFL has a multi-layer structure, the respectivelayers may be formed of a same material or different materials. In anembodiment, the buffer layer BFL may be omitted.

In each pixel region over the buffer layer BFL, various circuit elementsincluding at least one transistor TR for forming a pixel circuit may beformed. During a process of forming the circuit elements, linesincluding at least one power supply line and/or various signal lines maybe formed along with the circuit elements.

The transistor TR includes an active layer ACT, a gate electrode GE, asource electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE. In an embodiment, theactive layer ACT may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL and formed of asemiconductor material. For example, the active layer ACT may be asemiconductor pattern formed of polysilicon, amorphous silicon, an oxidesemiconductor, or the like. The active layer ACT may be formed of asemiconductor layer which is doped with impurities or not doped withimpurities. Alternatively, only one region of the active layer ACT maybe doped with impurities, and the other region thereof may not be dopedwith impurities, or the active layer ACT may be doped with impurities atdifferent concentrations by regions.

A gate insulating layer GI is formed on the active layer ACT. The gateelectrode GE may be formed on the gate insulating layer GI.

An interlayer insulating layer IL may be formed on the gate electrodeGE. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be formed onthe interlayer insulating layer IL. The source electrode SE and thedrain electrode DE may be respectively coupled to different regions ofthe active layer ACT through a first contact hole CH1 and a secondcontact hole CH2 which pass through the gate insulating layer GI and theinterlayer insulating layer IL.

A passivation layer (or a planarization layer) PSV may be formed on thesource electrode SE and the drain electrode DE. The passivation layerPSV may cover the pixel circuit including the transistor TR andsubstantially planarize a top surface of the pixel circuit.

The light emitting element EL is formed on the passivation layer PSV.The light emitting element EL includes a first electrode ADE, a lightemitting layer EML, and a second electrode CDE. In an embodiment, thelight emitting element EL may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED)including an organic light emitting layer.

The first electrode ADE of the light emitting element EL may be disposedon the passivation layer PSV and be coupled to one electrode, e.g., thedrain electrode DE, of the transistor TR through a via hole VH (or athird contact hole) passing through the passivation layer PSV. In anembodiment, the first electrode ADE may be an anode electrode of thelight emitting element EL, but is not limited thereto.

A pixel defining layer PDL for defining a light emitting region of eachpixel may be formed on the surface of the base substrate SUB on whichthe first electrode ADE, etc. are formed. The pixel defining layer PDLhas, in the light emitting region of each pixel, an opening throughwhich the first electrode ADE is exposed.

The light emitting layer EML is formed in each light emitting regionenclosed by the pixel defining layer PDL. For example, the lightemitting layer EML may be disposed on the exposed surface of the firstelectrode ADE. In an embodiment, the light emitting layer EML may have amulti-layer thin film structure including at least a light generationlayer (LGL). For example, the light emitting layer EML may include ahole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light generation layer,a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electroninjection layer. In an embodiment, the color of light generated from thelight emitting layer EML may be one of red, green, blue, and white, butis not limited thereto.

The second electrode CDE of the light emitting element EL is formed onthe light emitting layer EML. In an embodiment, the second electrode CDEmay be a cathode electrode, but is not limited thereto. In anembodiment, the second electrode CDE may be formed on an entire surfaceof an active region of the display panel 130, but is not limitedthereto.

A thin film encapsulation layer TFE for covering the second electrodeCDE is formed on the second electrode CDE of the light emitting layerEL. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may cover pixels to seal theactive region including the pixels. In the case in which the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE is used, the pixels may be effectivelyprotected, the thickness of the display panel 130 may be reduced, andthe flexibility of the display panel 130 may be secured.

In an embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may have asingle- or multi-layer structure. For example, the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE may have a multi-layer structure including atleast two inorganic layers overlapping with each other, and at least oneorganic layer interposed between the inorganic layers. Alternatively, inan embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be embodied inthe form of an organic and inorganic hybrid insulating layer having asingle layer structure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus 200 for manufacturing adisplay device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a portion ofthe manufacturing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the manufacturing apparatus 200 inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure includes afirst jig 210, a pair of clamping units 220 and 230 disposed on oppositesides of the first jig 210, a pair of push members 242 and 252integrally coupled or mounted to the respective clamping units 220 and230, and a second jig 260 disposed over the first jig 210.

The first jig 210 includes a seating pad 212, and a first plate 214coupled to the seating pad 212. In an embodiment, the first jig 210 mayfurther include a first jig drive unit 218 configured to move theseating pad 212 (for example, in an up-and-down direction correspondingto a Z-axis direction), and a connector 216 disposed between the firstplate 214 and the first jig drive unit 218. In an embodiment, the firstjig drive unit 218, etc. may be regarded as separate components from thefirst jig 210.

In an embodiment, the seating pad 212 may include at least one groove212 a in each of the opposite side surfaces thereof. In addition, eachof the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad 212 may include a bentpart 212 b corresponding to the shape of the second jig 260. Forexample, an upper end region of each of the opposite side surfaces ofthe seating pad 212 that extend from an upper surface 212 c of theseating pad 212 to the respective grooves 212 a may include the bentpart 212 b embodied in the form of a convex curved surface. The bentpart 212 b may have a shape corresponding to a bent part 262 b formed ona suction surface of a second plate 262 provided in the second jig 260.

In an embodiment, the upper surface 212 c of the seating pad 212 mayalso include a convex curved surface. For example, the upper surface 212c of the seating pad 212 may include a curved surface which has acurvature less than that of the bent part 212 b formed on each of theopposite side surfaces of the seating pad 212, the curvature of thecurved surface being gradually increased on opposite edges thereofconnected to the respective bent parts 212 b. However, the shape of theseating pad 212 is not limited thereto. For example, the seating pad 212may have any of various shapes corresponding to the shape of the secondjig 260 and/or the shape of the cover window (110 of FIG. 2) to bemounted to the second jig 260.

In an embodiment, at least one region including the upper surface 212 cof the seating pad 212 may have elasticity. In an embodiment, the uppersurface 212 c of the seating pad 212 and the upper end regions (e.g.,including at least the bent parts 212 b) of the opposite side surfacesof the seating pad 212 may be made of an elastic material. Hence, duringa lamination process of applying pressure to the display panel 130 andthe cover window 110 that are respectively disposed on the first andsecond jigs 210 and 260, the display panel 130 and/or the cover window110 may be prevented or substantially prevented from being damaged, andthe pressure may be uniformly or substantially uniformly dispersed on anadhesive surface therebetween.

For example, both a top area (herein, referred to as a first area AR1)corresponding to a predetermined width on a central portion of the uppersurface 212 c of the seating pad 212, and side areas (herein, referredto as second areas AR2) corresponding to a region from the respectiveopposite sides of the upper surface 212 c of the seating pad 212 topredetermined widths may be made of an elastic material, and a bottomarea (herein, referred to as a third area AR3) of the seating pad 212may be made of a comparatively hard material. For example, the first andthe second areas AR1 and AR2 may be made of at least one of elasticmaterials, such as silicon, rubber, and flexible synthetic resin, havingcomparatively high flexibility and elasticity. The third area AR3 may bemade of a comparatively hard material, e.g., plastic, reinforcedplastic, or metal, having comparatively high hardness.

In an embodiment, the first and the second areas AR1 and AR2 may havedifferent hardnesses. For example, during the lamination process for thedisplay panel 130 and the cover window 110, the first area AR1 requiringa comparatively large displacement may be manufactured to have ahardness less than that of the second area AR2 requiring a comparativelysmall displacement.

The first plate 214 is disposed under the seating pad 212 and coupledwith the seating pad 212. In an embodiment, the first plate 214 may bemade of a comparatively hard material, e.g., plastic, reinforcedplastic, or metal, having comparatively high hardness, compared to thatof the seating pad 212. However, the material constituting the firstplate 214 is not limited thereto. The first plate 214 functions to fixand support the seating pad 212.

The connector 216 is disposed between the first plate 214 and the firstjig drive unit 218 to connect them to each other. In other words, theseating pad 212 and the first jig drive unit 218 may be connected and/orcoupled to each other through the first plate 214 and the connector 216.

The first jig drive unit 218 may be provided to move the seating pad212, and may be embodied, for example, using an actuator. The first jigdrive unit 218 functions to move the seating pad 212 upward or downward.

The pair of clamping units 220 and 230 may be disposed on the respectiveopposite sides of the first jig 210 that face away from each other. Forexample, the pair of clamping units 220 and 230 may include a firstclamping unit 220 and a second clamping unit 230 which are respectivelydisposed on the left and right sides of the first jig 210.

In an embodiment, the first clamping unit 220 may include a first clamp222 disposed on (or disposed/provided at) a first side (e.g., the leftside) of the first jig 210, a first clamp drive unit 226 configured tomove the first clamp 222, and a first connector 224 disposed between thefirst clamp 222 and the first clamp drive unit 226.

The first clamp 222 includes a fixing part 222 a designed to be openableor including an insert depression or the like. Although in FIGS. 4 and 5there is illustrated the fixing part 222 a formed of an upper plate anda lower plate, the structure, the shape, and/or the operating method ofthe fixing part 222 a may be changed in various ways. For example, thefirst clamp 222 may be embodied in the form of a known clamp which mayhave any of various structures. Further, although in FIGS. 4 and 5 thereis illustrated a structure in which the upper plate and the lower plateof the fixing part 222 a are stepped from a main body of the first clamp222, the present disclosure is not limited to this structure. Forexample, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper plateand/or the lower plate of the fixing part 222 a may extend from the mainbody of the first clamp 222 without forming a stepped structure.

The first connector 224 is disposed between the first clamp 222 and thefirst clamp drive unit 226 to connect them to each other. In otherwords, the first clamp 222 and the first clamp drive unit 226 areconnected and/or coupled to each other by the first connector 224.

The first clamp drive unit 226 may be provided to move the first clamp222 (e.g., in an upward or downward direction along the Z-axis and/or ina leftward or rightward direction along an X-axis, or in a diagonaldirection), and may be embodied as any of various devices for movement.The first clamp drive unit 226 functions to move the first clamp 222 inthe upward/downward direction and/or in the leftward/rightwarddirection.

In an embodiment, the second clamping unit 230 may include a secondclamp 232 disposed on (or disposed/provided at) a second side (e.g., theright side) of the first jig 210, a second clamp drive unit 236configured to move the second clamp 232, and a second connector 234disposed between the second clamp 232 and the second clamp drive unit236.

The second clamp 232 includes a fixing part 232 a designed to beopenable or including an insert depression or the like. The second clamp232 having the foregoing structure may define a pair with the firstclamp 222, and the first and second clamps 222 and 232 may be disposedfacing each other, with the first jig 210, particularly, the seating pad212, interposed therebetween. In an embodiment, the second clamp 232 mayhave substantially the same configuration as that of the first clamp222. Therefore, further explanation of the second clamp 232 will beomitted.

The second connector 234 is disposed between the second clamp 232 andthe second clamp drive unit 236 to connect them to each other. In otherwords, the second clamp 232 and the second clamp drive unit 236 areconnected and/or coupled to each other by the second connector 234.

The second clamp drive unit 236 may be provided to move the second clamp232, and may be embodied as any of various devices for movement, such asincluding an actuator. The second clamp drive unit 236 functions to movethe second clamp 232 in the upward/downward direction and/or in theleftward/rightward direction. In an embodiment, the second clamp driveunit 236 may have a configuration substantially similar or the same asthe first clamp drive unit 226, but is not limited thereto. For example,the kind, the structure, and/or the operating method of each of thefirst and the second clamp drive units 226 and 236 may be changed invarious ways.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of push members 242and 252 along with the pair of clamps 222 and 232 may be disposed on therespective opposite sides of the seating pad 212. For example, the pairof push members 242 and 252 may include a first push member 242disposed, along with the first clamp 222, on (or at) the first side(e.g., the left side) of the first jig 210, and a second push member 252disposed, along with the second clamp 232, on (or at) the second side(e.g., the right side) of the first jig 210. In other words, in anembodiment, the first push member 242 may be disposed around (orproximate) the first clamp 222, and the second push member 252 may bedisposed around (or proximate) the second clamp 232.

Each of the first and the second push members 242 and 252 may have asize and/or a shape corresponding to that of the groove 212 a formed inthe corresponding side surface of the seating pad 212. In an embodiment,for example, each of the first and second push members 242 and 252 mayhave a thickness and/or a diameter less than that of the correspondinggroove 212 a of the seating pad 212 such that the first and the secondpush members 242 and 252 may be inserted into the respective grooves 212a.

In an embodiment, each of the first and the second push members 242 and252 may include a roller. In an embodiment, the first and the secondpush members 242 and 252 may be integrally connected or mounted to thefirst and the second clamps 222 and 232, respectively, and may moveconcurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with the first and second clamps 222and 232.

In an embodiment, for example, each of the first and the second pushmembers 242 and 252 may be embodied in the form of a cylindrical rodinserted into holes or depressions formed in side surface parts of acorresponding one of the first and second clamps 222 and 232. However,the shape of the roller of each of the first and the second push members242 and 252 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and the shape may bechanged in various ways. For example, in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the roller of each of the first and the second push members242 and 252 may have a cross-sectional shape such as an elliptical orhexagonal cross-section.

As such, when the first and second push members 242 and 252 arerespectively integrally connected or mounted to the first and secondclamps 222 and 232, the first and second push members 242 and 252 may berespectively moved by the first and second clamp drive units 226 and236. In this case, the first and second push members 242 and 252 may bemoved concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with the first and secondclamps 222 and 232, respectively.

In an embodiment, the first and second clamp drive units 226 and 236 maymove the first and second clamps 222 and 232 and the first and secondpush members 242 and 252 to positions adjacent to the seating pad 212,at a step (e.g., a predetermined step) of the lamination process.Particularly, at the step (e.g., the predetermined step), the first andsecond clamp drive units 226 and 236 may move the first and second pushmembers 242 and 252 such that the first and second push members 242 and252 are close to the respective grooves 212 a formed in the sidesurfaces of the seating pad 212. Thereby, the opposite sides of thedisplay panel 130 may be brought into close contact with the seating pad212 and thus pre-formed.

Although in FIGS. 4 and 5 there is illustrated an embodiment in whichthe first and second clamps 222 and 232 are respectively moved bydifferent drive units, i.e., the first and the second clamp drive units226 and 236, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example,in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and second clampdrive units 226 and 236 may be integrated with each other.

Facing the first jig 210, the second jig 260 is disposed over the firstjig 210. The second jig 260 includes the second plate 262 facing theseating pad 212. In an embodiment, the second jig 260 may furtherinclude a second jig drive unit 266 provided to move the second plate262 (e.g., upward or downward), and a connector 264 disposed between thesecond plate 262 and the second jig drive unit 266. In an embodiment,the second jig drive unit 266, etc. may be regarded as separatecomponents from the second jig 260.

In an embodiment, the second plate 262 may include, on a surface thereoffacing the seating pad 212, a fixing unit configured to fix the coverwindow 110, etc. in place. In an embodiment, for example, the fixingunit may include a suction part 262 a provided to prevent orsubstantially prevent the cover window 110 from being undesirablydisplaced from its desired position. In this case, the manufacturingapparatus 200 may further include a suction pump, etc. (not shown)provided to suck air from the suction part 262 a. For example, thesuction pump may be disposed outside a chamber in which the laminationprocess of joining the cover window 110 with the display panel 130 isperformed. In addition, the structure and/or the operating method of thefixing unit for fixing the cover window 110 in place may be changed invarious ways. For example, in an embodiment, the fixing unit may beembodied in a separate frame included in the second jig 260 or using anadhesive member having adhesive force.

The second plate 262 may have a shape corresponding to that of theseating pad 212. For example, to embody a display device (e.g., thedisplay device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2) having bent parts, the seating pad212 and the second plate 262 may have shapes corresponding to the shapeof the cover window 110 including the bent parts on the respectiveopposite sides thereof. For example, each of side surfaces (e.g., innersidewalls) of the second plate 262 may include a bent part 262 b havingsubstantially the same curvature and/or shape as that of the coverwindow 110. The bent part 212 b formed in the upper end region of eachof the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad 212 may have a shapecorresponding to the associated bent part 262 b of the second plate 262.Here, at least one region of the bent part 212 b may have a curvaturegreater than that of the bent part 262 b of the second plate 262, takinginto account a displacement which may be caused by pushing force. Forexample, the seating pad 212 and the second plate 262 may be designedsuch that the display panel 130 seated on the seating pad 212 may bepre-formed in a shape corresponding to the inner surface of the coverwindow 110, e.g., to have substantially the same shape and/or curvatureas that of the inner surface of the cover window 110.

In an embodiment, the second plate 262 may have a hardness greater thanthat of the seating pad 212. For example, when the upper end region ofthe seating pad 212 is made of a flexible and elastic material, such assilicon, rubber, or flexible synthetic resin, the second plate 262 maybe made of a comparatively hard material, such as plastic, reinforcedplastic, or metal having a comparatively high hardness, compared to thatof the seating pad 212. However, the material constituting the secondplate 262 may be changed in various ways rather than being limited tothe foregoing examples.

The connector 264 is disposed between the second plate 262 and thesecond jig drive unit 266 to couple them to each other. In other words,the second plate 262 and the second jig drive unit 266 may be connectedand/or coupled to each other by the connector 264.

The second jig drive unit 266 may be provided to move the second plate262, and may be embodied, for example, in the form of an actuator. Thesecond jig drive unit 266 may move the second plate 262 upward ordownward. In an embodiment, the second jig drive unit 266 may have aconfiguration substantially similar or the same as that of the first jigdrive unit 218, but is not limited thereto. For example, the kind, thestructure, and/or the operating method of each of the first and secondjig drive units 218 and 266 may be changed in various ways.

In an embodiment, only any one of the first and second jig drive units218 and 266 may be provided. In this case, the lamination process may beperformed by moving only one of the first jig 210 or the second jig 260upward or downward.

The apparatus 200 for manufacturing the display device in accordancewith the above-described embodiments makes it possible to reliablyattach the display panel 130 to the cover window 110 having the bentparts. A method (lamination method) of joining the cover window 110 withthe display panel 130 using the manufacturing device 200 having theabove-mentioned configuration will be described in further detail laterherein.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an apparatus formanufacturing a display device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are used todesignate components similar or the same as those of the embodiment ofFIG. 5, and further explanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first and the second push members 242 and 252that were described as including rollers in an embodiment of FIGS. 4 and5 may, in another embodiment, include bar-type push members 242′ and252′. For example, each of the first and the second push members 242′and 252′ according to the present embodiment may include a flat barextending from an end of the corresponding one of the first and thesecond clamps 222 and 232.

In an embodiment, a thickness (T) of the bar may be less than a diameterof the roller described in the previous embodiment. In this case,opposite edges of a guide film attached with the display panel 130 maybe more easily pushed into the respective grooves 212 a of the seatingpad 212 by the first and the second push members 242′ and 252′. As aresult, the display panel 130 may be more precisely pre-formed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus 200′ for manufacturing adisplay device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are used to designatecomponents similar or the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 4, andfurther explanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, in an embodiment, first and second clamps 222 and232 and first and second push members 242 and 252 may be providedseparately from each other and respectively operated by different driveunits. For example, in the present embodiment, the first and second pushmembers 242 and 252 may be respectively separated from the first andsecond clamping units 220 and 230. Furthermore, a pair of push units 240and 250 respectively having the first push member 242 and the secondpush member 252 may be respectively disposed around the first and secondclamping unit 220 and 230.

For example, the first push unit 240 is disposed around the firstclamping unit 220. In an embodiment, the first push unit 240 may includethe first push member 242, a main body 244 provided with the first pushmember 242, and a connector 246 and a first push drive unit 248 whichare successively connected and/or coupled to the main body 244. In thiscase, the first push member 242 may be moved independently from thefirst clamp 222 in the upward/downward direction and/or in theleftward/rightward direction by the first push drive unit 248.

The second push unit 250 may be disposed around the second clamping unit230. In an embodiment, the second push unit 250 may include the secondpush member 252, a main body 254 provided with the second push member252, and a connector 256 and a second push drive unit 258 which aresuccessively connected and/or coupled to the main body 254. In thiscase, the second push member 252 may be moved independently from thesecond clamp 232 in the upward/downward direction and/or in theleftward/rightward direction by the second push drive unit 258.

In the apparatus 200′ for manufacturing the display device in accordancewith the present embodiment, the first and second clamps 222 and 232 andthe first and second push members 242 and 252 may be moved independentlyfrom each other. Hence, the degrees of freedom in movement of the firstand second clamps 222 and 232 and the first and second push members 242and 252 may be markedly increased.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a guide film 140 and a display panel130 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the guide film 140 may include an adhesive area ADAto which adhesive is applied, and non-adhesive areas NADA, to which noadhesive is applied, or each of which includes a non-adhesive cover. Thedisplay panel 130 may be attached to a corresponding surface of theguide film 140. Further, an adhesive layer 120 may be formed on acorresponding surface (e.g., a front surface) of the display panel 130.

In an embodiment, the guide film 140 may be a lamination sheet, such asa

UV adhesive sheet formed to be separable using UV rays, but is notlimited thereto. The guide film 140 may be used, e.g., in a laminationprocess of attaching the display panel 130 to the cover window 110. Inan embodiment, the guide film 140 may also be used in a process ofmanufacturing the display panel 130. The guide film 140 may have a widthgreater than that of the display panel 130, at least with respect to atransverse direction (e.g., an X-axis direction). For example, the widthof the adhesive area ADA of the guide film 140 may be greater than thatof the display panel 130. Therefore, when the display panel 130 isdisposed in a central portion of the guide film 140 with respect to thetransverse direction, the non-adhesive areas NADA provided on respectiveopposite ends of the guide film 140 may be exposed.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide film 140 in whichthe display panel 130 and the adhesive layer 120 are successivelydisposed on the adhesive area ADA including the central portion of theguide film 140 may be prepared prior to the lamination process ofattaching the display panel 130 to the cover window 110. Thereafter, thefirst and second clamps 222 and 232 may hold the non-adhesive areas NADAprovided on the opposite ends of the guide film 140. The first andsecond push members 242 and 252 push the guide film 140 and bring theguide film 140 into contact with the surface of the seating pad 212.Then, the guide film 140 is deformed to correspond to the shape of theseating pad 212, whereby the display panel (e.g., a flexible displaypanel) 130 attached to the guide film 140 may be pre-formed to have acurvature corresponding to the shape of the seating pad 212.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a displaydevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Herein, a process (e.g., a lamination process) of joining a displaypanel with a cover window using a guide film will be described by stepswith reference to FIG. 9.

<ST100: Preparing the Cover Window and the Guide Film>

The cover window 110 and the guide film 140 on one surface of which thedisplay panel 130 and the adhesive layer 120 are disposed are prepared.

In an embodiment, the step of preparing the cover window 110 may includethe step of manufacturing and/or preparing the cover window 110 havingbent parts on respective opposite sides thereof. For example, the coverwindow 110 may include side surface parts 110 b, each of which isembodied in the form of the bent part having an angle (θ) of 90° or moreand/or a comparatively large curvature corresponding to the angle (θ).

In an embodiment, the step of preparing the guide film 140 on which thedisplay panel 130 and the adhesive layer 120 are disposed may includethe step of providing the guide film 140 including a base film and anadhesive applied to an adhesive area ADA of the base film, and the stepof attaching and/or forming the display panel 130 and the adhesive layer120 on a surface of the guide film 140. In an embodiment, the step ofattaching and/or forming the display panel 130 and the adhesive layer120 may include the step of attaching the display panel 130 to theadhesive area ADA formed on the central portion of the guide film 140,such that the non-adhesive areas NADA formed on the respective oppositeends of the guide film 140 are exposed, and the step of forming theadhesive layer 120 on the display panel 130 before or after theattaching of the display panel 130.

<ST200: Disposing the Cover Window and the Guide Film in a Face-to-FaceManner>

Subsequently, the cover window 110 and the guide film 140 are disposedor arranged facing each other. Here, the cover window 110 and the guidefilm 140 are disposed or arranged such that the surface (e.g., the frontsurface) of the guide film 140 on which the display panel 130 and theadhesive layer 120 are formed faces the cover window 110. In otherwords, the cover window 110 and the guide film 140 are disposed facingeach other such that the adhesive layer 120 faces the cover window 110.

In an embodiment, the cover window 110 and the guide film 140 may berespectively moved by the second jig 260 and the first and secondclamping units 220 and 230 and thus aligned with each other such thatthey face each other. Further, when the second jig 260 mounted with thecover window 110 moves, at least one of the first and second clampingunits 220 and 230 and the first jig 210 may also be moved in response tothe movement of the second jig 260.

<ST300: Seating the Guide Film>

Thereafter, the guide film 140 is seated on the seating pad 212 of thefirst jig 210. To seat the guide film 140 on the seating pad 212, thefirst and second clamps 222 and 232 and/or the seating pad 212 may bemoved.

<ST400: Pre-Forming the Display Panel>

Thereafter, the opposite ends of the guide film 140 are brought intoclose contact with the respective side surfaces of the seating pad 212by the first and the second push members 242 and 252. Thereby, thedisplay panel 130 may be pre-formed in a shape corresponding to thecover window 110.

<ST500: Joining the Display Panel with the Cover Window>

Subsequently, by moving the first jig 210 and/or the second jig 260, theadhesive layer 120 is brought into contact with the cover window 110 andpressure is applied to the cover window 110 and the display panel 130,thus joining the display panel 130 with the cover window 110.

<ST600: Removing the Jig>

Thereafter, the first jig 210 and/or the second jig 260 are removed fromthe display panel 130 and the cover window 110. In an embodiment, thefirst and second jigs 210 and 260 may be sequentially removed from thedisplay panel 130 and the cover window 110.

<ST700: Removing the Guide Film>

Subsequently, the guide film 140 is removed from the display panel 130.For example, in the case in which the guide film 140 is embodied in theform of a UV adhesive sheet, the guide film 140 may be removed from thedisplay panel 130 by applying UV rays to the guide film 140.

In an embodiment, steps ST200 to ST600 of the above-mentioned steps maybe performed in a chamber of the manufacturing apparatus 200 or 200′including the first and second jigs 210 and 260. Steps ST200 to ST600will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10F.

FIGS. 10A to 10F sequentially illustrate a method of manufacturing adisplay device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, for example, sequentially illustrate a process of operatingthe manufacturing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 4.

After the step of preparing the cover window 110 and the guide film 140has been completed, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cover window 110 and theguide film 140 may be disposed facing each other such that the adhesivelayer 120 faces the cover window 110.

In an embodiment, the step of disposing the cover window 110 and theguide film 140 in a face-to-face manner may include the step oftransferring the cover window 110 toward the upper portion of the firstjig 210 using the second jig 260, and the step of disposing the guidefilm 140 between the first jig 210 and the cover window 110 while thefirst and second clamps 222 and 232 hold the respective opposite ends ofthe guide film 140. In an embodiment, the cover window 110 may beattached by suction to the corresponding surface of the second plate 262by the suction part 262 a. The guide film 140 may be transferred to aposition over the seating pad 212 while the non-adhesive areas NADA ofthe opposite ends of the guide film 140 are respectively fixed to thefirst and the second clamps 222 and 232.

In other words, the cover window 110 and the guide film 140 may berespectively moved by the second jig 260 and the first and secondclamping units 220 and 230 and thus aligned with each other such thatthey face each other. In an embodiment, the first jig 210, the first andthe second clamping units 220 and 230, and/or the second jig 260 maymove corresponding with each other. For example, when the second jig 260mounted with the cover window 110 is moved, the first and second clamps222 and 232 and/or the first jig 210 may also be moved by degreescorresponding to the distance and/or the direction of the movement ofthe second jig 260.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10B, the guide film 140 may be seated ontothe seating pad 232 by moving the first and second clamps 222 and 232and/or the seating pad 212. For example, by moving the first and secondclamps 222 and 232 downward and/or moving the seating pad 212 upward, atleast one of the first and second clamps 222 and 232 and the seating pad212 may be transferred such that a rear surface of the guide film 140comes into close contact with the upper surface of the seating pad 212.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10C, the display panel 130 may bepre-formed by bringing the opposite ends of the guide film 140 intoclose contact with the respective opposite side surfaces of the seatingpad 212 using the first and the second push members 242 and 252. In anembodiment, the step of pre-forming the display panel 130 may be a stepof deforming the display panel 130 in a shape corresponding to that ofthe cover window 110.

In an embodiment, the step of pre-forming the display panel 130 mayinclude a step of concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) moving the firstand second clamps 222 and 232 and the first and second push members 242and 252 to positions close to the opposite side surfaces of the seatingpad 212. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the step of pre-forming thedisplay panel 130 may include a step of individually and/orindependently moving the first and second clamps 222 and 232 and thefirst and second push members 242 and 252 to positions close to theopposite side surfaces of the seating pad 212.

For example, the step of pre-forming the display panel 130 may include astep of disposing the first and second push members 242 and 252 onrespective opposite sides of the seating pad 212, and the step of movingthe first and second push members 242 and 252 toward the respectivegrooves 212 a formed in the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad212 and pressing the opposite ends of the guide film 140 such that theopposite ends of the guide film 140 come into contact with therespective opposite side surfaces of the seating pad 212. For example,the opposite ends of the guide film 140 may be brought into closecontact with the respective bent parts 212 b of the seating pad 212 bymoving the first and the second push members 242 and 252 and/orcorresponding regions of the guide film 140 into the respective grooves212 a formed in the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad 212. Here,the seating pad 212 may have a shape corresponding to that of the coverwindow 110. Particularly, each of the bent parts 212 b of the seatingpad 212 may have a shape corresponding to that of the corresponding oneof the side surface parts 110 b of the cover window 110. Hence, thedisplay panel 130 may be pre-formed to have curvatures corresponding tothe shape of the cover window 110, particularly, the side surface parts110 b of the cover window 110.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10D, by moving the first jig 210 and/orthe second jig 260, the adhesive layer 120 is brought into contact withthe rear surface of the cover window 110 and pressure is applied to thecover window 110 and the display panel 130, thus joining the displaypanel 130 with the cover window 110. For example, the cover window 110and the display panel 130 may be joined with each other by moving thefirst and second clamps 222 and 232 along with the seating pad 212. Inan embodiment, since the first and second push members 242 and 252 alsomove upward along with the first and the second clamps 222 and 232, forexample, the display panel 130 or the seating pad 212 may be preventedor substantially prevented from being damaged by the first and thesecond push members 242 and 252. In the case in which the first and thesecond push members 242 and 252 are operated independently from thefirst and the second clamps 222 and 232, damage to the display panel 130or the seating pad 212 may be prevented or substantially prevented, forexample, by synchronizing the timings of the upward movement of theseating pad 212, the first and second clamps 222 and 232, and the firstand second push members 242 and 252.

In an embodiment, the pressure to be applied when the cover window 110and the display panel 130 are joined with each other may be set within aload range capable both of preventing or substantially preventing thecover window 110 or the display panel 130 from being damaged and ofsecuring a sufficient joining force between the cover window 110 and thedisplay panel 130. In an embodiment, for example, the load range may befrom 0.3 MPa to 0.5 MPa, but is not limited thereto. For instance, theload range may be changed depending on the materials, the hardnesses,etc. of the cover window 110, the adhesive layer 120, and/or the displaypanel 130.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10E, the first and second clamps 222 and232 are separated from the guide film 140. The first and second clamps222 and 232, the first and second push members 242 and 252, and thefirst jig 210 are moved away from the guide film 140. Thereby, the guidefilm 140 is removed from the first jig 210.

Thereafter, the guide film 140 and the second jig 260 are removed fromthe cover window 110 and the display panel 130, thus completing theprocess of joining the display panel 130 with the cover window 110. As aresult, as shown in FIG. 10F, the manufacture of the display device 100is completed.

In the display device manufacturing apparatus (e.g., the laminationdevice 200 or 200′) and the display device manufacturing method (e.g.,the lamination method) using the manufacturing apparatus in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure, the display panel 130 may bepre-formed in a shape substantially the same or similar to the coverwindow 110 before the display panel 130 is attached to a surface of thecover window 110. As a result, even when each of the side surface parts110 b of the cover window 110 is embodied in the form of the bent partwhich is curved or bent at an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle), aphenomenon may be prevented or mitigated, in which the adhesive layer120 is scraped from the side surface parts 110 b of the cover window 110or an air bubble is formed in the adhesive layer 120 during thelamination process of joining the display panel 130 with the coverwindow 110. According to the display device manufacturing apparatus 200and the display device manufacturing method using the manufacturingapparatus, the display panel 130 may be reliably attached to the coverwindow 110 even though the cover window 110 has the bent parts, each ofwhich is curved or bent at an angle of 90° or more or to a degreecorresponding to the angle. Thereby, the quality of adhesion may beenhanced, and a product defect rate may be reduced. As a result, theproductivity and the reliability of the display device 100 may beimproved.

While the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are described inconnection with some exemplary embodiments, it should be noted that theabove-described embodiments are merely descriptive and should not beconsidered limiting. It should be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in thefollowing claims.

The scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the above detaileddescriptions of the present specification, and should be defined by theaccompanying claims. Furthermore, all changes or modifications of thepresent disclosure derived from the meanings and scope of the claims,and equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in thescope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a display device, themethod comprising: preparing a cover window including a bent part on aside surface thereof, and a guide film including a surface on which adisplay panel and an adhesive layer are arranged; arranging the coverwindow and the guide film in a face-to-face manner such that theadhesive layer faces the cover window; seating the guide film onto aseating pad of a first jig; pre-forming the display panel by bringingopposite ends of the guide film into close contact with opposite sidesurfaces of the seating pad using a pair of push members; and joiningthe display panel with the cover window by bringing the adhesive layerinto contact with the cover window.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the pre-forming of the display panel comprises deforming thedisplay panel in a shape corresponding to a shape of the cover window.3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-forming of thedisplay panel comprises moving a region of each of the push members or aregion of the guide film into a corresponding one of grooves formed inthe respective opposite side surfaces of the seating pad.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the preparing of the guide film comprises:attaching the display panel to a central region of the guide film suchthat the opposite ends of the guide film are exposed; and forming theadhesive layer on an upper portion of the display panel before or afterthe attaching of the display panel.
 5. The method according to claim 1,wherein the arranging of the cover window and the guide film in theface-to-face manner comprises: transferring the cover window to aposition over the first jig using a second jig; and holding the oppositeends of the guide film using a pair of clamps and arranging the guidefilm between the first jig and the cover window.
 6. The method accordingto claim 5, wherein the arranging of the cover window and the guide filmin the face-to-face manner further comprises moving, when the second jigmoves, at least one of the first jig and the pair of clamps in responseto the movement of the second jig.
 7. The method according to claim 5,wherein the seating the guide film onto the seating pad of the first jigcomprises bringing a rear surface of the guide film into close contactwith the seating pad by moving at least one of the seating pad and thepair of clamps.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein thepre-forming of the display panel comprises concurrently moving the pairof clamps and the pair of push members to positions close to theopposite side surfaces of the seating pad.
 9. The method according toclaim 5, wherein the pre-forming of the display panel comprisesindividually moving the pair of clamps and the pair of push members topositions close to the opposite side surfaces of the seating pad. 10.The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-forming of the displaypanel comprises: arranging the pair of push members on respectiveopposite sides of the seating pad; and moving the pair of push memberstoward the grooves formed in the opposite side surfaces of the seatingpad, and pressing the opposite ends of the guide film such that theopposite ends of the guide film are brought into close contact with therespective opposite side surfaces of the seating pad.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising removing the guide film fromthe first jig after the joining of the display panel with the coverwindow.
 12. An apparatus for manufacturing a display device, theapparatus comprising: a first jig comprising a seating pad includinggrooves in respective opposite side surfaces thereof, and a first platecoupled to a lower portion of the seating pad; a pair of clamps atrespective opposite sides of the first jig; a pair of push membersarranged, along with the respective clamps, at the respective oppositesides of the first jig, each of the pair of push members having a sizecorresponding to an associated one of the grooves of the seating pad; adrive unit configured to move the push members to positions close to therespective grooves of the seating pad; and a second jig over the firstjig.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of the pairof push members comprises a roller or a bar.
 14. The apparatus accordingto claim 12, wherein the pair of clamps comprise a first clamp at afirst side of the first jig, and a second clamp at a second side of thefirst jig such that the second clamp faces the first clamp, and whereinthe pair of push members comprise a first push member around the firstclamp, and a second push member around the second clamp.
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first clamp and the firstpush member are integrally connected or mounted to each other, and thesecond clamp and the second push member are integrally connected ormounted to each other.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, whereinthe drive unit comprises: a first clamp drive unit configured to movethe first clamp and the first push member; and a second clamp drive unitconfigured to move the second clamp and the second push member.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first and the second clampsare provided separately from the first and the second push members, andthe drive unit comprises separate drive units configured to respectivelymove the first and second clamps and the first and second push members.18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the seating padcomprises an upper surface including a convex curved surface, and theopposite side surfaces, each of which has a convex curved surface on anupper end region thereof extending from the upper surface to thecorresponding groove.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein,in the seating pad, at least the upper surface and the upper end regionsof the opposite side surfaces are made of an elastic material.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 19, wherein a central portion of the uppersurface has a hardness less than a hardness of the upper end region ofeach of the opposite side surfaces.
 21. The apparatus according to claim18, wherein the second jig comprises a second plate facing the seatingpad, and wherein the second plate comprises side surfaces having shapescorresponding to the respective upper end regions of the opposite sidesurfaces of the seating pad.